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Friday, 30 January 2015

What Do You Think of This Computer? Its an Acer E5-521G-4361. I basically just play Forge of Empires, watch mlb.com, streaming games and just surf. Is this computer fast and strong enough for this? Any input will be appreciated!

Person2
as a general rule... i would recommend 8GB of RAM as with that much your computer won't ever be slowed down due to lack of RAM.

4GB is kind of the minimum though nowadays before performance will start to get clearly effected.

the rest of those specs... i don't feel like looking at right now. also, Desktops are generally more power for less money. so if you don't have to have portability i would definitely go the desktop route and you will get a bigger screen that way to.

Person1
So you're saying the 4GB offered with this computer is the minimum amount I need while 8GB would be wiser?

Person2
Yeah, for most uses 4GB is the minimum while 8GB would give you room to breath and run just about anything you want to.

basically... 8GB will help future proof your computer as by the time 8GB becomes an issue that computer will be outdated anyways.

Person3
Really 8GB is the minimum amount of memory that you have to have in order to get any kind of video processing done. Which also implies that you need to be using a 64 bit operating system. Just as a 2 gigahertz 2 core processor is as slow as you can go to meet the minimum requirements for video processing.

A 6 core 3 gigahertz processor and 16GB of memory are preferable but you can't hardly get that unless you build it yourself.

Person3
It is two core processors short of the old outdated computer I am using now.

And your computer that you chose 'Acer E5-521G-4361' also has the BIOS rom vulnerability, which means that any of those hackers on the religion board would turn it into a useless door stop just short of an hour after you connect to the internet and log into IMDB with it.

Person1
Thanks to all for your answers.
Person3, which computer would you recommend and how strong should it be?

Person2
i would not pay attention much to Person3 as he talks a bunch of BS as shown below when i quoted what he said...

And your computer that you chose 'Acer E5-521G-4361' also has the BIOS rom vulnerability, which means that any of those hackers on the religion board would turn it into a useless door stop just short of an hour after you connect to the internet and log into IMDB with it.

comments like these are just flat out lies.

p.s. but it is true that you need a 64bit OS to use 8GB of RAM though. but just about anyone with 4GB+ of RAM should not be using 32bit OS's anymore anyways as there is not much reason to for the average computer user. also, for video processing it can be true that you might need more RAM but since you are not concerned i doubt you will ever come close to using even 8GB of RAM as i run a decent amount of programs on my PC and i never run out, it's unlikely that you would either.

Person1
But wouldn't 8GB of RAM be better because I may not need so much but its my impression that 4GB is just adequate while 8GB covers all of my needs?

Person2
Yeah, definitely get 8GB of RAM as that will allow you to breathe for a while as like i was saying, by the time 8GB of RAM becomes a issue for most uses, the PC will likely be outdated by then anyways.

i was just saying his 16GB recommendation is a bit overkill for most people on most uses right now. if the price is right then getting 16GB won't hurt but in general i would rather put that extra money saved there to more hard drive space or just about anything else.

Person1
You got it. Investing the extra money, which isn't that much, in 8GB rather than 4GB, is wise. As in my OP, the most I demand from a computer is stream mlb.com and only one on-line game, Forge of Empires. Other than them, I only skype and just surf.

Person3
Nice comment coming from someone who actually participates in that sort of hacking.
Of course you would deny a crime that you are yourself guilty of.

Person3
Off the shelf computers tend to be hobbled with 32 bit operating systems.
Since you are paying extra anyway for a computer with a 64 bit processor it would kind of be a waste not to take advantage of the full power of that processor with a 64 bit operating system.

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit would be a good choice, it is what I use.
It is definitely worth the cost to go with 8GB memory instead of settling for 4GB. But that is only an advantage if you use a 64 bit operating system because the 32 bit operating systems can't access memory beyond 4GB.

It all depends on what you will be using it for.
If it's only for surfing the internet then a 2Ghz 2 core processor 4GB memory and an 80GB hard drive should be fine.

But processing videos, compiling software, and breaking encryption codes and hacking logins with rainbow tables, takes a lot of processing power.
Power that my 6 core processor and 8GB of memory can just barely adequately meet.

I keep my selection of motherboards a closely guarded secret as there are those on these boards like M-Slovac or Discerningly Tasty who would use that information to mount an effective attack.

Much for the same reasons that the U.S. is not likely to give their military secrets to Russia.

Person1

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit would be a good choice, it is what I use.
It is definitely worth the cost to go with 8GB memory instead of settling for 4GB. But that is only an advantage if you use a 64 bit operating system because the 32 bit operating systems can't access memory beyond 4GB.

I will remember this when I buy a computer. Its going to be 8GB and the 64 bit operating system.

Person2
Yeah, 8GB of RAM along with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OS (the minimum version of Windows 7 i would use) is good.

personally... i just use Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (the minimum version of Windows 7 that's good) along with Windows Loader v2.2.2. that gets you Windows 7 for free and it works exactly like a legitimate copy does since all it does is fool Windows 7 into thinking you legitimately activated the OS (i.e. works exactly the same as a legitimate copy). that will save you roughly $100 if you build the computer yourself which i don't think Person1 is doing so i guess he ain't got to pay much attention to what i say here.

Person3
Windows 7 Home Premium is limited to only 4GB memory use, even the 64 bit version.
Which kind of defeats the whole purpose, but if you knew anything about computers at all you would know that already.

Windows 7 Professional costs more for several reasons, the very least of which is that it has fewer limitations than the Home version.

Person2

Windows 7 Home Premium is limited to only 4GB memory use, even the 64 bit version.
Which kind of defeats the whole purpose, but if you knew anything about computers at all you would know that already.

Windows 7 Professional costs more for several reasons, the very least of which is that it has fewer limitations than the Home version.

That's not correct. 'Windows 7 Home Premium x64' supports up to 16GB of RAM which it's not likely many people would use or have installed more RAM than that nowadays.

it's only once you use anything lower than Home Premium is when it really cripples the OS.

there is other features of Professional etc that Home Premium does not have but none are really needed by the vast majority of people.

taking a quick look around online and you can find this quote...

Windows 7 Home Premium supports a maximum of 16GB of installed RAM, whereas Professional and Ultimate can address a maximum of 192GB of RAM.

like i was saying above... it's not likely anyone will use or need more than 16GB of RAM into the foreseeable future. hence, Windows 7 Home Premium x64 is 'good enough' (i.e. the minimum version of Windows 7 worth using).

so if someone did have more than 16GB installed then obviously Professional would be required.

but being Windows 7 is supported til the year 2020, which is about 5 more years, there is a chance by then people using more than 16GB may be possible but if i ever need it ill just get a hold of Professional and use Windows Loader on it. but for the vast majority of people i doubt many will need (or have installed) more than 16GB of RAM on their PC into the foreseeable future.

Person3

That's not correct. 'Windows 7 Home Premium x64' supports up to 16GB of RAM which it's not likely many people would use or have installed more RAM than that nowadays.

The system board I am currently looking to acquire has a maximum capacity of 32 GB of RAM.
What I am stuck with now is limited to 16 GB of RAM, which is not enough for my use. I may eventually retire it for use as a security encryption server.

but being Windows 7 is supported til the year 2020, which is about 5 more years,

No, Microsoft is officially retiring Windows 7 in about 6 months.

That is why the smart folks are gradually migrating to Linux, because Windows 8 is a sucking nadear of suckitude.

Person2

The system board I am currently looking to acquire has a maximum capacity of 32 GB of RAM.
What I am stuck with now is limited to 16 GB of RAM, which is not enough for my use. I may eventually retire it for use as a security encryption server.

Yeah, in your case Professional would be needed. but for the vast majority of people 'Windows 7 Home Premium x64' would be good enough since not many people will have more than 16GB of RAM in their PC's.

like it's not worth paying extra $$$ for Professional over Home Premium for most people right now.

No, Microsoft is officially retiring Windows 7 in about 6 months.

re-read what i said... it will be SUPPORTED til the year 2020 (i.e. bug/security fixes through windows update like usual)

here is a good place to look... http://goo.gl/1geuwJ (Microsoft's own website says what i quoted below basically)

but basically...

Mainstream (free, Microsoft-provided) support for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 installed isn't expiring until January 13, 2015. Microsoft will continue to provide security fixes for Windows 7 for free until the end of extended support, which is January 14, 2020 -- unless Microsoft ends up extending that support date, as it did with Windows XP.

so in other words... Windows 7 is safe to use til Jan 14th 2020 since any security flaws etc will be fixed at least until that date.

but if Windows 7 is anything like Windows XP was i would not be surprised to see them further extend support of Windows 7 past the 2020 date.

Person3

Yeah, in your case Professional would be needed. but for the vast majority of people 'Windows 7 Home Premium x64' would be good enough since not many people will have more than 16GB of RAM in their PC's.

Most people seem to be using Apple iPhones these days.
Never mind that I can still look something up on the internet faster than them with a real computer, even if I give them a 60 second head start.

But that's millennials for you, more concerned with what they think is cool than what is practical and actually useful.

Person2
obviously i meant for computers/laptops when i said the 'vast majority of people only need Windows 7 Home Premium x64'.

but just to comment on the whole PC/Laptop vs Tablet/Phone etc types of devices... for those who do very basic stuff then those are fine but i actually like to USE my computer in which case a Tablet and the like are just not up to my standards. Tablets are overpriced for what you get and have a smaller screen etc.

but sadly, because many people only do very basic stuff on the internet that's probably why tablets and the like are popular. but i figure why pay a ton of $$$ for a handicapped device that only allows for very basic internet usage.

Person4

I keep my selection of motherboards a closely guarded secret as there are those on these boards like M-Slovac or Discerningly Tasty who would use that information to mount an effective attack.

I hope this is not true.

Person2

I hope this is not true.

of course it's not true ;)

he makes up a bunch of BS all of the time.

Person4
He sounds a wee bit paranoid :))

Person1
I ended up getting a HP computer with 4GB, 64-bit, Intel Core, i3-4005CPU@1.7GHz, and its Windows 8.1. It covers my needs and it works fine.
Thanks to everyone for their advice

Person2
Have fun ;)

finding a computer pre-built with Windows 7 i suspect won't be easy as it seems that Windows 8 crap is probably on everything nowadays.

but yeah, for pretty basic use that would be 'good enough' even though 4GB to 8GB of RAM would allow you some more breathing room as if you open up a bunch of websites in your browser that can burn up 1GB+ pretty easily especially if you use Chrome as your browser which won't leave too much left for Windows itself to use. my Pale Moon x64 (basically Firefox variation) tends to float between 1-1.5GB of RAM and that's with a bunch of websites/tabs open and left running for days etc. if i did that with Chrome it would be much more than that.